Three keys to the Gophers beating the Wisconsin Badgers on Friday at the Kohl Center:
1) Get the power play clicking again. It is still fourth in the nation at 28.3 percent but used to be a runaway No. 1 until a one-for-17 cold spell in the past three games. Wisconsin seems like the team to get the pp going. The Badgers have the worst penalty kill in the WCHA at 69.0 percent. In comparison, the Gophers pk is at 88.5 percent, tied for 12th nationally.
Where is the Badgers pk nationally? No. 56, only Vermont and Harvard are below UW.
2) Watch Justin Schultz. He is a very offensive defenseman. Gophers coach Don Lucia said he is one of the best players in the country. The maroon and gold have to be aware of him every time he steps on the ice and he will be out there a lot. Every other shift.
3) Clear the crease around Kent Patterson. If he sees the puck, he will stop it. The Badgers have some size at left wing where they are 6-4, 6-1, 6-3, 6-3.
As if the Gophers needed more incentive, if they win tonight it will Lucia's 300th win at Minnesota in 13 years. He is 299-160-53 despite four down seasons in a row. His first Gophers win game in his fifth game at the U of M. The Gophers beat Boston College 6-5 on Oct. 29, 1999.
Should have the Gophers' line memorized by now -- they don't change. So from memory:
Kyle Rau-Nick Bjugstad-Zach Budish ... Rau and Bjugstad both scored their eighth goal of the season last game. Bjugey matched his season total for all of last year. Budish only has three goals but has 11 assists.
